Effect of crystallographic texture on formability in AA6111 autobody sheet

Aluminum alloy 6111-T4 is currently being used in the production of a number of automotive body panels. While the anisotropy in mechanical properties in this alloy is well documented, the effect of this anisotropy on formability and stamping performance is poorly understood. In an effort to optimize the crystallographic texture for automotive stamping operations, a series of experiments was conducted wherein specimens of 6111-T4 with varying textures were subjected to simulative forming tests. The effect of crystallographic texture, as described by the relative magnitude of ideal texture components derived from the orientation distribution function (ODF) on deformation and damage accumulation under various strain states was determined. Finite element analysis was used to model the effects of these changes in the ODF on the stamping performance and to allow for generalization to other die geometries and strain states.